Healthy Horses Being Put Down: Advice Please?!

Hello,

I haven't been back to this forum in a long time but i'm hoping I can get some advice on what to do or if I can do anything to save lives. I use to work at this barn, and I still have a friend who I get daily updates who works at the barn. And I just can't stand hearing about more healthy horses being put down or are about to be put down because they are old, or have minor problems.

There have been 13 that I can remember for sure, that have been put down. Some needed it and others were so neglected that, the owner just decided to put them down rather then re-homing them. I know there have been more horses that have been put down I just can't remember.

This is what is happening. The BO goes out and gets new horses, then the old ones (that have been there a while, not exactly age) that have been there sitting and just getting grumpy or stiff or lame from not being given proper care get put down. Then the cycle repeats its self. For example, this was the first horse that was put down rather then trying to find a proper home. There was a Shetland cross who needed drier climate and off grass because of his founder, the farrier even said he would do great in Eastern Wa, where its really dry. But months later, no effort was put to finding him a home so he was put down.

2 horses were put down, that were healthy. Just needed to be worked. One was getting grumpy, this horse was about 24ish and NEEDED a job,some back pain but it wasn't enough to be a big issue. The other horse was over weight and was having lameness in one leg, the BO even said that she would be fine if she was being worked and lost some weight. No, real effort to find them homes.

Now, there is another horse who is on the chopping block. He is older but in great shape and is her kids horse. The BO just got new horses and is now talking about putting the older horse down. He's been at the barn about 6 months.

This is just going to be an insane viscous cycle. I really think the BO gets joy from this. To hear the BO talk about the way they die (shot) and buried in mass graves with hooves sticking out, its all a laughing matter to the BO.
This doesn't even cover the condition of the barn. There is a great horse rescue that I want to contact but i'm just not sure if this is "wrong". I feel its wrong because they could be given to great homes. But I just don't know what normally happens at boarding stables. 2 out of the 13 horses were not hers. That's still a lot of horses she has shot in the last couple of years.

What do you think? What would you do? Is this the norm or is this as insane as I think it is?

Well look at it this way.

Its better then sending them for slaughter or left to stand in a field and die. The fact of the matter is, the economy is in the dumps. People are having a hard time giving away horses these days. Horses that are young healthy and a good show record are being ditched or left to starve because they can't find a horse.

We all say we would rather see someone put a horse to sleep rather then send it to the livestock auction where the meat buyers will bid.

Id rather hear the other side of the story before stating an opinion.

I know for a fact, that in this economy, I would rather put one of my lame...non-useable horses down before sending him off somewhere and having him end up in a horrible situation.

A horse that is put down instantly, is much better then starving for months before dying a slow...agonizing...death.
Posted via Mobile Device

I would rather see the horses put down than to be unhappy or suffer. Now I o hope this person knows how to do it correctly the first time, and I sure hope the fact that they bury them with their hooves sticking out of the ground is a lie.
Posted via Mobile Device

A humane end to an unwanted horse is noble.

It is up to an owner to decide when to put a horse down whether you approve or not. As long as he is not putti down someone elses horses that he doesnt own then there is nothing wrong ,legal or otherwise.

Its just sad to see there lives are so expendable. I wish the BO would just stop bringing in more horses just to be put down months or a year later.

The grave story isn't a lie. When I first started working at the barn she told us of a story where this filly had something wrong with the brain, and had to be put down. Some one messed up and the horse got loose and was running all over the field and I can remember it to this day she said that she was screaming "SHOOT IT! SHOOT IT!" and laughing as she told us that. That was the same attitude she had when she told us, about the horse having its hoof stuck out of the ground cause there were 2 other horses in the grave. I don't know, maybe I'm a bit more sensitive to this because I love horses and have more feelings about them then this BO.

This I find a rather ignorant and offensive statement.
Just because people aren't jumping on your band wagon doesn't mean that we don't care or love our horses.

Sometimes a shot or a needle is much more preferable then having them end up somewhere like your old barn.

If I could not be sure that I could ensure the safety and well being of my horses should I have to rehome them I would put them down.
Posted via Mobile Device

I said the BO, meaning how she talks about putting them down, as when she tells us stories about it she is laughing about it.

I'm not mad or anything that no one is jumping on my band wagon. I see the points being made, that you guys would rather insure your horse goes to a great home and not have them suffer some where else. I never said you guys don't love your horses.

I also never said anything negative about the replies here. You just miss read what I was saying. I just got attached to the horses there and would of liked them to of had the chance to find a good home rather then be put down.

I do agree with you guys that being put down is better then starving and being neglected or going to slaughter. So, now i'm the bad guy for wanting to see them be re homed to a good place rather then being shot?